How to refinish and paint a cultured marble sink

Cultured marble sinks often come with a cultured marble counter as a single unit. Refinishing the sink typically requires refinishing the counter top as well. Cultured marble is unlike other solid surfaces, because the marble is not the same texture and colour all the way through the counter. Instead, a cultured marble substance is painted on the top layer of the sink and counter. For this reason, you can't refinish cultured marble in the same way as other solid surfaces. Paint is an option when refinishing cultured marble, but prepare the surface well before starting the job.

Remove the tap fittings from the sink area and put them aside.

Clean the sink thoroughly with trisodium phosphate (TSP). Scrub with a sponge to remove all soap scum and other residues. The TSP will also dull the surface of the marble, allowing the epoxy primer to better adhere to the cultured marble.

Pour a small amount of water on the sink and counter. Sand the surface with 220 grit sandpaper. Use an orbital sander for a more uniform finish.

Change the sandpaper on the orbital sander to 400 grit. Wet sand the sink and counter again. Continue sanding, gradually increasing from 400 to 800 grit sandpaper until the surface is smooth. Wipe off the sanding dust with a tack cloth.

Dip a good quality paintbrush into epoxy primer. Move the brush in only one direction. Paint the entire sink and counter with a thin coat of paint. Do not feather the brush at the end of the brush strokes. Allow the first coat to dry.

Run a piece of 1,000 grit sandpaper under water. Use light pressure to gently buff out any imperfections in the paint job. Wipe away any dust with a damp rag.

Apply a second coat of epoxy primer. Allow the primer to dry and look for flaws in the paint. Remove imperfections with fine grit sandpaper. Let the sink and counter cure for two days.

Saturate a clean paintbrush with a clear urethane paint. Paint two to three thin coats of topcoat on the sink and counter. Allow each coat to dry to the touch before applying the next. Let the urethane dry for seven days before using the sink and counter.